green giving

Since you are probably making your list and checking it twice, today's dose gives easy tips for greener gifting this season. During this hectic time of consumption, there are numerous ways we can buy in a more mindful manner while also benefiting the planet. Here are a few of my must-have green giving ideas in no particular order:

Reuseable wrapping: Wrap your gift in a leftover box you received from an online order, when purchasing a new pair of shoes or from a gift. Turn a brown shopping bag inside out to cover the box. Add a dash of flair with something you have on hand such as a sprig of white pine from your tree, ribbons you saved from another gift, or tag made out of the front of holiday cards you have received. Save all bags, tissue paper, and ribbon you receive on gifts for next year's giving pleasure.

Give gifts that increase your karma points: Visit womenforwomeninternational.org to support women in war-torn regions with aid, training, and education. Visit tenthousandvillages.org to give a fairly traded artisan gift from Africa, Asia, or Latin America. Shop at heifer.org to provide gifts of livestock and plants to families in need worldwide. At arbordayfoundation.org, you can plant trees that ultimately help us all breathe better.

Choose wisely: Look for gifts with little packaging or that come in recyclable packaging; have the Energy Star rating; contain nontoxic or organic ingredients that do not test on animals; are made with eco-friendly fabrics such as organic cotton, bamboo, or soy; are fair trade.

Omwork (homework with a yogic twist): Practice these tips to ensure your giving is focused on spreading tranquility to others, your community, and your planet in eco-friendly fashion. Stay connected with green living during the holidays and beyond. Think reduce, reuse, recycle.